Former Liverpool and England footballer John Barnes has revealed that he underwent surgery to remove his prostate after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, and is now encouraging men to overcome the stigma surrounding the disease and seek medical attention when needed.

Speaking with Times Radio in the United Kingdom, the 62-year-old said his children persuaded him to get tested, a decision that ultimately led to his diagnosis and treatment.

“A lot of men don’t want to admit it or want to have it done because it makes them feel less than a man. But you’re not, you’re exactly the same, you’re the same person, and you’re around, and that’s the main thing,” Barnes said.

The former striker described prostate cancer as a topic that remains somewhat taboo among men, despite being the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men worldwide.

“We support women with breast cancer, and it’s not even an issue…Whereas with men, the government say, ‘yeah, prostate cancer, we need more awareness, we need people to come forward and in black men it’s more prevalent’. Men have to then bite the bullet and swallow their pride and admit if they have problems and say it. So it’s a good thing that that has come out,” he said.

Barnes said he is recovering well following his surgery.

Widely regarded as one of Liverpool’s greatest players, Barnes spent a decade at the club from 1987 to 1997, helping the team to win two league titles, two FA Cups and a League Cup. He scored 108 goals in 407 appearances.